The capital city has saved 240,000 kilowatt hours, an equivalent of over VND400m for turning off unnecessary lights for one hour during the Earth Hour on March 22.

The data was provided by the National Load Dispatch Centre, under Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN).

This year tagline for Earth Hour campaign is "Use your power to change climate change." The event is jointly held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam, EVN and Daikin Air Conditioning JSC.

Hanoi held the event six days earlier than the global official date. Many people participated in the event and turn off various equipment from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. The city authorities also turned off street lights, decorative lights and advert boards at agencies and on many streets and locations including Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Opera House.

Other activities will also be held, in particular, 1,000 students will ride bicycle around public places and pick up trash.

After Hanoi, other cities including HCM City, Can Tho and Phu Yen will also hold Earth Hour event on the official date with other countries around the world on March 28.

Earth Hour was first organised in Australia in 2007 to raise awareness about climate change. It has grown to be one of the world's largest voluntary action and saw about 150 nations participating in the act.

Vietnam first organised Earth Hour in 2009. It saved 431,000 kilowatt hours of electricity last year, equivalent to VND650m. Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said they will continue to hold Earth Hour in the coming years to call for the locals and enterprises' help in the fight against climate change.

Young people gather at Hanoi Opera House

Traffic police gives directions during Earth Hour

Ngo Quyen Street

Shops turn off the lights during the event